Uzbekistan to Set Up Joint Venture for Independent Nuclear Plant Construction Oversight
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan plans to establish a joint venture with one of the leading international engineering companies to independently assess design solutions and construction works at the country’s first integrated nuclear power plant. The project in Forish district of Jizzakh Region has already entered the active construction stage.
Current work is focused on the foundation of the first power unit. Since June 4, 916 cubic metres of concrete have been placed at the site. According to the Agency for Atomic Energy, known as Uzatom, the construction and installation base and foundation works are progressing on schedule.
The joint venture is expected to independently assess design documentation, key equipment components and the quality of construction work, creating an additional layer of oversight alongside the construction directorate. The composition of the partners and the timeline for establishing the venture are still being determined. Rozalia Kamaeva, Adviser and Head of the Consolidated Information, Analysis and Strategic Planning Department at Uzatom, stressed that the customer bears full responsibility for safety.
According to Kamaeva, the joint venture should also facilitate the transfer of engineering and management expertise to Uzbek specialists. The project also plans to adapt and implement around 1,000 industry standards.
In June, Uzbekistan hosted the second-stage follow-up INIR mission of the IAEA. It involved 41 officials and specialists from 16 ministries and agencies. Uzatom said most recommendations issued to Uzbekistan in 2021 had been implemented. The official report is expected to be published on the IAEA website after the relevant procedures are completed.
Localisation is another key area of the project. Its current potential is estimated at up to 21% of the project’s total value. More than 30 Uzbek companies can supply cables, rolled metal, reinforced-concrete structures and waterproofing materials. To raise localisation above 30%, authorities have proposed establishing a 200-hectare specialised industrial zone in Forish district, with production and assembly across 15 areas and up to 2,000 jobs.
More than 10,000 workers and specialists are expected to be involved at the peak of construction, with local personnel accounting for 65–70%. Since 2023, 216 students have graduated from the Tashkent branch of the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, while another 100 specialists are being trained at four Uzbek universities.
By the end of 2026, the authorities plan to complete project documentation, begin construction of external networks, expand localisation and accelerate personnel training. In 2027, Uzbekistan plans to prepare licensing documentation for large VVER units, begin designing common-station buildings and place orders for long-lead equipment.
The first integrated nuclear plant will consist of two VVER-1000 units rated at 1 GW each and two RITM-200N small modular reactors rated at 55 MW each. Total capacity will reach 2,110 MW, with expected annual generation of up to 17 billion kWh. The first small modular reactor is scheduled for launch in October–November 2029, while the first large power unit is planned for 2033. Full completion of the project is expected in 2034–2035.
The joint venture is expected to independently assess design documentation, key equipment components and the quality of construction work, creating an additional layer of oversight alongside the construction directorate. The composition of the partners and the timeline for establishing the venture are still being determined. Rozalia Kamaeva, Adviser and Head of the Consolidated Information, Analysis and Strategic Planning Department at Uzatom, stressed that the customer bears full responsibility for safety.
According to Kamaeva, the joint venture should also facilitate the transfer of engineering and management expertise to Uzbek specialists. The project also plans to adapt and implement around 1,000 industry standards.
In June, Uzbekistan hosted the second-stage follow-up INIR mission of the IAEA. It involved 41 officials and specialists from 16 ministries and agencies. Uzatom said most recommendations issued to Uzbekistan in 2021 had been implemented. The official report is expected to be published on the IAEA website after the relevant procedures are completed.
Localisation is another key area of the project. Its current potential is estimated at up to 21% of the project’s total value. More than 30 Uzbek companies can supply cables, rolled metal, reinforced-concrete structures and waterproofing materials. To raise localisation above 30%, authorities have proposed establishing a 200-hectare specialised industrial zone in Forish district, with production and assembly across 15 areas and up to 2,000 jobs.
More than 10,000 workers and specialists are expected to be involved at the peak of construction, with local personnel accounting for 65–70%. Since 2023, 216 students have graduated from the Tashkent branch of the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, while another 100 specialists are being trained at four Uzbek universities.
By the end of 2026, the authorities plan to complete project documentation, begin construction of external networks, expand localisation and accelerate personnel training. In 2027, Uzbekistan plans to prepare licensing documentation for large VVER units, begin designing common-station buildings and place orders for long-lead equipment.
The first integrated nuclear plant will consist of two VVER-1000 units rated at 1 GW each and two RITM-200N small modular reactors rated at 55 MW each. Total capacity will reach 2,110 MW, with expected annual generation of up to 17 billion kWh. The first small modular reactor is scheduled for launch in October–November 2029, while the first large power unit is planned for 2033. Full completion of the project is expected in 2034–2035.
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